Receptacles for litter and the like

ABSTRACT

Receptacles for litter and the like which include a base, an outer housing supported by the base, and a disposable container in the outer housing. The outer housing is constructed so that litter, etc. can be introduced through it into the disposable container and so that the disposable container can be readily removed and replaced when it is full.

United States Patent [191 Kline et a1.

[ RECEPTACLES FOR LITTER AND THE LIKE [75] Inventors: Robert H. Kline; Christian E.

Grosser, both of Richmond, Va.

[73] Assignee: Peli-Can,lnc., Richmond, Va.

[58] Field of Search 232/431, 43.2, 43.3, 43.4, 232/44; 52/297, 20; 248/D1G. 7, 97, 146, 98,

292/88, 282, 286; D49/35; 16/86 A, 128 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1884 Young 248/99 10/ 1 904 Aug. 27, 1974 1,586,532 6/1926 Pampinella 16/86 X 1,749,983 3/1930 Nelson 292/281 2,545,520 3/1951 Tilsin et a1. 248/346 2,773,155 12/1956 Larsen 48/194 3,096,900 7/1963 Breneman 220/4 3,272,460 9/1966 Sherman 298/146 3,306,486 2/1967 Martino et a1. 220/1 3,342,368 9/1967 Matty 220/1 3,471,114 10/1969 Ball 248/246 D212,501 10/1968 Lumley D49/35 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay

Assistant Examiner-Peter A. Asclhenbrenner Attorney, Agent, or FirmStrauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies & Kurz ABSTRACT Receptacles for litter and the like which include a base, an outer housing supported by the base, and a disposable container in the outer housing. The outer housing is constructed so that litter, etc. can be introduced through it into the disposable container and so that the disposable container can be readily removed and replaced when it is full.

4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIED 3.831 838 7 I24 ROBERT H. KLINE CHRISTIAN E.GROSSER ATTORN Y5 mmmm 3.831.838-

Sli'fl 2G 6 ROBERT H. 7- CHRISTIAN E. GROSSER PATENTED 9271974 7 ml 3& 6

ROBERT H. KUIME;

CHRISTIAN GR'OSSER BY 44 mm Maw/9 ATTOR EYS PATENIEDAUGZHSM sum 8 or 5 INVENTORS ROBERT H. KLINE CHRISTIAN E. GROSSER ATTOR EYS Q w m RECEPTACLES FOR LITTER AND THE LIKE This invention relates to receptacles and, more particularly, to novel, improved receptacles for litter, trash, etc.

At the present time, the pollution of our environment is of major concern. A not insignificant contributor to this pollution is the average motorist with his wellknown propensity for discarding his leavings along the routes he travels.

One reason for this indiscriminate littering of our highways is the unwillingness of many motorists to leave their vehicles in order to deposit trash in an appropriate receptacle. It is accordingly one important and primary object of our invention to make this unnecessary; that is, to provide novel, improved receptacles in which a motorist can deposit his litter without leaving his vehicle.

In this age of ever-increasing labor and equipment costs, the expense of collecting trash and litter has become a mounting burden. It is accordingly a further important and primary object of the present invention to provide novel, improved receptacles from which trash can be removed with dispatch and which are therefore capable of making an appreciable contribution to the reduction of the cost of trash disposal.

Yet another important and primary object of the invention resides in the provision of novel, improved receptacles in accord with the preceding objects which can be economically constructed and have a long service life and are otherwise sufficiently inexpensive to permit their widespread use.

The novel receptacles we have invented, by which the foregoing and other important goals are achieved, include a monolithic base to which the bottom section of an outer housing or casing is fixed. This base is designed to keep the receptacle from being tipped over deliberately, by high or strong and gusty winds, etc. A cover section is pivotally fixed to the lower housing section, preferably by a hinge arrangement which spans the width of the housing to provide an abuse-resistant connection between the two housing sections.

An inexpensive disposable container, typically of a thin gauge plastic, is removably fixed in the outer housing. Preferably, this is accomplished by using cooperating peripheral flanges on the two housing sections to clamp the upper end of the container in place. This novel arrangement permits replacement containers to be easily secured in place, even by workmen wearing heavy gloves. It is only necessary to stretch the edge of the container over the lower housing flange and then tilt the cover section down against the lower section to clamp the container in place.

Preferably, the container is made longer than the lower section of the outer housing. Accordingly, there is an excess of material at its open end when it is removed from the outer housing and its contents shaken down, even if it is overfilled. This permits the container to be tied to retain its contents in place.

Litter and trash can be introduced into the disposable container through a vertical opening formed at the end of a horizontally projecting portion of the housing cover section. This makes it possible for occupants of vehicles to deposit litter in the receptacle without leaving their vehicles.

To prevent vandalism, our novel receptacles are also preferably provided with a latch arrangement designed to accept a padlock or other lock for securing the cover section of the outer housing to the lower section. Thus, the contents of the disposable container cannot be removed from the receptacle and strewn about.

Also, shock absorbing members are preferably secured to the lower section of the outer housing to cushion the impact of the cover section when it is tilted open to remove and replace the disposable containers. Further, the walls of the lower housing section are preferably tapered to support the disposable container and thereby keep it from being punctured by sharp objects thrown into it.

Another feature of the present invention is that it is formed primarily from materials such as sheet steel and reinforced concrete which are relatively inexpensive, can be fabricated at relatively low cost, and are easily assembled, yet are very durable. Accordingly, our novel receptacles are sufficiently economical for widespread use.

Certain primary objects of the invention have been identified above. Other important, but more specific objects of the invention reside in the provision of novel, improved receptacles for litter and the like:

1. which are resistant to being tipped over by wind and other forces.

2. which can be made from comparatively inexpensive, durable, easily fabricated and assembled materials.

3. in which the litter and trash are collected in inex pensive, disposable containers.

4. in which, in conjunction with the preceding object, the disposable container is protected against punctures by sharp objects deposited in it.

5. in which, in conjunction with object No. (3), containers can be readily removed and replaced, even by workmen wearing heavy gloves.

6. which can be locked to prevent collected litter from being removed except by authorized persons.

7. which are designed to withstand rough handling and abuse.

8. which have various combinations of the foregoing attributes.

Another important but still more specific object of the invention is the provision of novel, improved receptacles for litter and the like which include a monolithic base, an outer housing having a lower section fixed to the base and a cover section hinged to the lower section, and a disposable container which can be clamped between cooperating flanges at the upper edge of the lower section and the lower edge of the cover section to thereby support the container in and from the upper end of the lower housing section.

Other important objects and novel features and further advantages of our invention will become apparent from the appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a receptacle for litter and the like which embodies and is constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragments of FIG. 1 to an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a disposable container in accord with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the container which is employed in the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partial side view similar to FIG. 1 but showing an alternate form of base;

FIG. 9 is a partial front view of the receptacle of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the base of FIGS. 8 and 9.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1-3 depict a receptacle 10 for litter and the like embodying and constructed in accord with the principles of the present invention. The components of receptacle 10 include a monolithic base 12, an outer housing 14 having a lower section 16 fastened to base 12 and a cover section 18 pivotally fixed to the lower section, and a disposable inner container 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) adapted to be clamped between housing sections 16 and 18 to support it in the lower housing section.

The lower section 16 of housing 14, which will typically be fabricated from sheet steel or the like, has side walls 22 and 24, a rear wall 26, and a front wall 28. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the four lower section walls taper upwardly and outwardly from the housing section bottom which is open except for inwardly turned flanges 29 at the lower edges of its walls so that water and/or liquid waste will not accumulate in housing 14. These inclined walls support the disposable container 20 secured in housing 14, reducing the possibility that the container will be punctured by sharp objects deposited m it.

Lower housing section 16 can be easily fabricated from two mirror image sections identified by reference characters 30a and 30b in FIGS. 2 and 3. These sections are joined into an integral structure by connecting strips 32 and 34 to which their free edges are fixed.

Housing cover section 18, which may also be fabricated from sheet steel or the like, has vertical side walls 36 and 38 extending horizontally beyond the front wall 28 of lower housing section 16, a rear wall 40, a top wall 42, and a bottom wall 44. Top wall 42 is generally coextensive in length with the side walls 36 and 38 of the cover section. Bottom wall 44 extends only over the projecting portion of the cover section.

Cover section 18 is hinged or pivotally connected to the front wall 28 of lower housing section 16 by a hinge member 46 and a pintle 48 (see FIG. 4). Hinge member 46 is the arcuate edge portion of a flange 50 extending horizontally from the front wall 28 of housing lower section 16 at the upper end thereof. Pintle 48 extends through the hinge member and is secured to the bottom wall 44 of housing cover section 18 by fasteners 51 which extend upwardly through pintle 48 and cover section lower wall 44 at opposite sides of the pintle. The fasteners are secured in place by washers 52 and 54 and nuts 56.

As can best be seen from FIG. 2, the arrangement just described provides a continuous hinge spanning housing 14. This provides the strength needed to withstand abusive manipulation of cover section 18 in removing and replacing containers 20, for example.

To further minimize damage from abusive handling, shock absorbers 58 are preferably employed. These are fixed to the front wall 28 of lower housing section 16 in the path of movement of cover section 18 and at opposite sides of the front wall by fasteners 60. The shock absorbers will typically be short cylindrical pieces of a synthetic material such as Delrin.

When cover section 18 is pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow 62 in FIG. 1, the bottom wall 44 of upper cover section 18 strikes shock absorbers 58. The latter absorb the impact, preventing abusive opening movements of the upper cover section from damaging the hinge or other housing components.

Referring again to FIGS. l-3, horizontally extending, outwardly directed flanges 64 and 66 are also formed at the upper edges of lower housing section side walls 22 and 24. A similar horizontal flange 68 is formed at the upper edge of rear wall 26. Thus, there is a generally continuous series of horizontal flanges around the upper end of lower housing section 16.

The disposable containers 20 are supported in housing 14 by stretching the upper edge of the container over the flanges just described. The container is then secured or clamped in place by inturned flanges 70 and 72 at the lower edges of cover section side walls 36 and 38, and a similar flange 74 at the lower edge of cover section rear wall 40. These flanges lie directly above those on the lower housing section when cover section 18 is closed. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the bottom wall 44 of the cover section overlies the flange 50 at the upper edge of lower housing section front wall 28 and clamps the edge of container 20 stretched over the latter in place.

Depending skirts 80 and 82 are fixed to the side walls 36 and 38 of upper cover section 18. These conceal the edges ofbag 20 extending over flanges 64 and 66.

Trash can be deposited in a container 20 supported in housing 14 by introducing it through an opening 84 in the front of cover section 18 or an opening 86 in the rear wall 40 of the cover section. Opening 84 is defined i by the top, bottom, and side walls of the upper cover section. The edges of the wall members are turned back against themselves to orm flanges 88a-d and thereby eliminate sharp edges on which persons might injure themselves. For the same reason, a slit sleeve 90 is fixed to the rear wall 40 of the upper cover section around the periphery of opening 86.

As shown in FIG. 1, the opening 84 at the front side of housing 14 extends horizontally beyond base 12. Accordingly, receptacle 10 can be located at curbside, for example; and the configuration of the upper cover section will so position opening 84 that a vehicle occupant can deposit trash without leaving his vehicle. At the same time, the opening 86 in the rear wall of the receptacle allows pedestrians to deposit trash without stepping into the street or other roadway.

Preferably, our novel litter receptacles are equipped with a latch 92 to keep cover section 18 of housing 14 closed. Latch 92 is a springlike member fixed to and extending downwardly from the rear wall 40 of outer housing cover section 14. As best shown in FIG. 5, there is an upwardly directed integral keeper 94 at the lower end of latch 92. With cover section 18 closed against lower housing section 16, the upper end of keeper 94 engages the underside of the flange 68 at the upper edge of lower housing section rear wall 26 to latch the cover in place. To open the cover, the lower end of latch 92 is simply pulled in the direction indicated by arrow 96 in FIG. 1 to free it from flange 68.

We also preferably construct our novel litter receptacles so that they can be locked in order to prevent unauthorized persons from removing trash and strewing it about. One arrangement which may be employed for this purpose includes a generally U-shaped retainer 98 fixed to horizontal flange 68. When cover section 18 is closed, latch 92 extends downwardly through retainer 98.

Apertures 100 (only one of which is shown) are formed in the lower part of latch 92 and in its keeper portion 94. The hasp 102 of a lock 104 can be inserted through these apertures to lock the cover in place since the lock will not pass through retainer 98.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, the base 12 of receptacle consists of a pair of elongated, generally rectangularly sectioned monolithic base members 106 and 108. These will typically be fabricated of reinforced concrete to keep receptacle 10 from being tipped over, deliberately, by strong or gusty winds, etc. As shown in FIG. 2, base members 106 and 108 extend beyond the sides of outer housing 14 to provide lateral stability.

Base members 106 and 108 are attached to the lower section 16 of outer housing 14 in an inclined relationship which keeps the bottom end of the housing free of the surface 110 from which it is supported by elongated rodlike members or ties 112 at opposite sides of the lower housing section (see FIGS. 2 and 3). These members extend through apertures (not shown) in the rear and front housing walls 28 and 26 adjacent the bottom lower section 16. Exteriorly of the lower housing section, downwardly inclined portions 114 of members 112 are disposed in generally U-shaped recesses 116 formed in and opening onto the bottom surfaces 118 of base members 106 and 108. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, generally rectangular recesses 120 are formed in the outer edges of the base members. These recesses are larger than and communicate with the recesses 116 in which the tie members 112 are disposed. Washers 122 on the tie members and nuts 124. threaded on their outer ends clamp base members 106 and 108 against the rear and front walls of lower housing section 16.

To strengthen the connection between the base members and outer housing 14, stops consisting of bolts or screws 126 extending through rear and front walls 26 and 28 are threaded through nuts 128 juxtaposed to the upper edges 130 of the base members at both sides of lower housing section 16. These stops keep the base members from moving upwardly relative to the lower housing section.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the disposable containers employed in receptacle 10 are also considered an important part of the invention. We have developed a novel method of manufacturing these containers which make them sufficiently inexpensive for widespread use. Specifically, containers 20 can be made by extruding polyethylene tubes having a wall thickness typically in the range of 0.00030 to 0.0025 inch and a diameter on the order of 40 inches. The extruded tube is cut to length and folded to the configuration shown in FIG. 7. The lower end of the section of tubing is then heat sealed to form a seam 132 which closes the lower end.

As mentioned above, tubes 20 are preferably fabricated with a length greater than the height of lower housing section 16. For example, the upper edge of lower section 16 will typically be 37 inches above the supporting surface 110. For a lower housing section of this height, container 20 may be on the order of 60 inches long. Thus, even though the inner container is filled to overheaping before it is removed, there will be an excess of material in which a knot can be tied or around which a tie can be secured to confine the contents of the bag.

Many modifications can be made in the exemplary structure described above without: exceeding the scope of the present invention. For example, FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a monolithic base which may be substituted for the base 12 discussed above, if desired. Base 140 is fabricated of concrete reinforced by mesh 142. A recess 144 configured to match the bottom end of outer housing lower section 16 is formed in and opens onto the upper surface 146 of the base. Typically, the base will be on the order of 3 inches thick and recesses 146 may be on the order of 2 inches deep.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, housing 14 is seated in recess 144 and secured in place as by cap screws 148 which extend through the flanges 29 at the lower edge of housing section 16 at intervals therearound and are threaded into inserts 150 molded in base 140.

Drain holes 152 are formed at intervals in base 140 to prevent water and/or liquid waste from accumulating on its upper surface 146. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a threaded insert 154 of the same type as inserts 150 may be molded in the center of the base. A lifting eye or the like can be threaded into insert 154 to facilitate handling of the base.

In one typical application of the present invention, the exterior dimensions at the bottom end of housing 14 were approximately 20% X 28 inches. For this application, base 140 was made 47 inches long and 38 inches wide to provide resistance to tipping.

One exemplary modification of the invention as first described above has just been discussed. Other modifications of a similar import will readily occur to those conversant with the arts to which the present invention is addressed. To the extent that these are not expressly excluded from the appended claims, they are fully intended to be covered therein.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A receptacle for litter and the like, which comprises a housing having a lower section with upwardly extending wall means of sheet-type material and means for supporting a litter receiving container therein; a horizontally elongated upper cover section having vertically extending side walls, said upper cover section being fixed to said lower housing section with one end of said upper cover section located. horizontally beyond said lower housing section; a vertically oriented opening in saidone end of said upper cover section between the side walls thereof; a horizontal opening between the lower housing section and said upper cover section, whereby litter can be introduced into the receptacle through the vertical opening in the upper cover section and can pass through the opening between the lower housing section and the upper cover section into a container supported in the lower housing section; a base attached to the lower housing section at the lower end thereof for supporting said receptacle on a surface and for resisting tipping of the receptacle relative to the surface, said base comprising base members at opposite sides of said housing and means for securing the base members to the lower section of the housing, there being grooves extending transversely through said base members and opening onto the bottom sides thereof and the means for fastening the base members to the housing lower section including elongated members extending through the housing lower section at the lower end thereof and having portions disposed in the grooves in the base members and means co-operating with the elongated members at the outer edges of the base members to clamp the base members against the housing lower section.

2. A receptacle according to claim 1, together with means at the upper edges of the base members for keeping the base members from moving vertically relative to the housing lower section.

31A receptacle for litter and the like, which comprises a housing having a lower section with upwardly extending wall means of sheet-type material and means for supporting a litter receiving container therein and a horizontally elongated upper cover section having vertically extending side walls, said upper cover section being pivotally fixed to said lower housing section with one end of said upper cover section projecting horizontally beyond said lower housing section, the means pivotally fixing the upper cover section to the lower housing section comprising an elongate, generally tubular hinge member of uninterrupted length spanning said housing and being rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to said lower housing section and a pintle rod rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to said upper cover section and extending through said hinge member to pivotally fix said cover section to said lower housing section, said tubular hinge member and pintle rod in assembly thereby stiffening the connection between the cover section and lower housing section; a vertically oriented opening in said projecting one end of said upper cover section between the side walls thereof; a horizontal opening between the lower housing section and said upper cover section, whereby litter can be introduced into the receptacle through the vertical opening in the upper cover section and can pass through the opening between the lower housing section and the upper cover section into a container supported in the lower housing section; weighted base means for supporting said receptacle on a surface and for resisting tipping of the receptacle relative to the surface; and means for fixing the lower end of said lower housing section to said base means.

4. A receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the means for supporting the disposable container comprises a generally horizontal flange means around the periphery of said lower section at the upper end thereof over which the upper edge of the disposable container is adapted to be placed and generally horizontal portions around the periphery of the housing cover section at the lower edge thereof overlying said flange means for clamping the upper edge of the disposable container against said flange means when said cover section is closed. 

1. A receptacle for litter and the like, which comprises a housing having a lower section with upwardly extending wall means of sheet-type material and means for supporting a litter receiving container therein; a horizontally elongated upper cover section having vertically extending side walls, said upper cover section being fixed to said lower housing section with one end of said upper cover section located horizontally beyond said lower housing section; a vertically oriented opening in said one end of said upper cover section between the side walls thereof; a horizontal opening between the lower housing section and said upper cover section, whereby litter can be introduced into the receptacle through the vertical opening in the upper cover section and can pass through the opening between the lower housing section and the upper cover section into a container supported in the lower housing section; a base attached to the lower housing section at the lower end thereof for supporting said receptacle on a surface and for resisting tipping of the receptacle relative to the surface, said base comprising base members at opposite sides of said housing and means for securing the base members to the lower section of the housing, there being grooves extending transversely through said base members and opening onto the bottom sides thereof and the means for fastening the base members to the housing lower section including elongated members extending through the housing lower section at the lower end thereof and having portions disposed in the grooves in the base members and means co-operating with the elongated members at the outer edges of the base members to clamp the base members against the housing lower section.
 2. A receptacle according to claim 1, together with means at the upper edges of the base members for keeping the base members from moving vertically relative to the housing lower section.
 3. A receptacle for litter and the like, which comprises a housing having a lower section with upwardly extending wall means of sheet-type material and means for supporting a litter receiving container therein and a horizontally elongated upper cover section having vertically extending side walls, said upper cover section being pivotally fixed to said lower housing section with one end of said upper cover section projecting horizontally beyond said lower housing section, the means pivotally fixing the upper cover section to the lower housing section comprising an elongate, generally tubular hinge member of uninterrupted length spanning said housing and being rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to said lower housing section and a pintle rod rigidly secured to and immovable with respect to said upper cover section and extending through said hinge member to pivotally fix said cover section to said lower housing section, said tubular hinge member and pintle rod in assembly thereby stiffening the connection between the cover section and lower housing section; a vertically oriented opening in said projecting one end of said upper cover section between the side walls thereof; a horizontal oPening between the lower housing section and said upper cover section, whereby litter can be introduced into the receptacle through the vertical opening in the upper cover section and can pass through the opening between the lower housing section and the upper cover section into a container supported in the lower housing section; weighted base means for supporting said receptacle on a surface and for resisting tipping of the receptacle relative to the surface; and means for fixing the lower end of said lower housing section to said base means.
 4. A receptacle according to claim 3, wherein the means for supporting the disposable container comprises a generally horizontal flange means around the periphery of said lower section at the upper end thereof over which the upper edge of the disposable container is adapted to be placed and generally horizontal portions around the periphery of the housing cover section at the lower edge thereof overlying said flange means for clamping the upper edge of the disposable container against said flange means when said cover section is closed. 